NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-205
 

Catch Sampling and Estimation in the 

Federal Groundfish Fisheries off Alaska 

by 

J. Cahalan, J. Mondragon, and J. Gasper 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 

National Marine Fisheries Service
 

Alaska Fisheries Science Center
 

February 2010 
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS 

The National Marine Fisheries Service's Alaska Fisheries Science Center 

uses the NOAA Technical Memorandum series to issue informal scientific and 

technical publications when complete formal review and editorial processing 

are not appropriate or feasible. Documents within this series reflect sound 

professional work and may be referenced in the formal scientific and technical 

literature. 

The NMFS-AFSC Technical Memorandum series of the Alaska Fisheries 

Science Center continues the NMFS-F/NWC series established in 1970 by the 

Northwest Fisheries Center. The NMFS-NWFSC series is currently used by 

the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. 

This document should be cited as follows: 

Cahalan, J., J. Mondragon, and J. Gasper. 2010. Catch sampling and 

estimation in the Federal groundfish fisheries off Alaska. U.S. Dep. 

Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-205, 42 p. 

Reference in this document to trade names does not imply endorsement by 

the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. 
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-205
 

Catch Sampling and Estimation in the
 

Federal Groundfish Fisheries off Alaska
 

by 

J. Cahalan1, J. Mondragon2, and J. Gasper2 

1

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
 

Alaska Fisheries Science Center
 

Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division
 

7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115
 

www.afsc.noaa.gov

2

National Marine Fisheries Service

 Alaska Regional Office
 

Sustainable Fisheries Division
 

709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK, 99801
 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Gary F. Locke, Secretary 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

 Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary and Administrator 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

James W. Balsiger, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

February 2010 
This document is available to the public through: 

National Technical Information Service 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

www.ntis.gov 
ABSTRACT 

We document the methodologies used by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 

to estimate total catch in the Federal groundfish fisheries in waters off Alaska. A combination of 

industry and onboard observer information is used to estimate total catch. Industry-reported data 

consists of catch and processed product amounts that are electronically recorded and submitted 

to NMFS. An extensive observer program is in place and provides information on catch. The 

observer data are collected using a stratified sample design where strata are defined by vessel 

size and gear fished. Within each stratum, a multi-stage sampling design is used to sample the 

species composition of the catch, length distribution of select species, and other catch 

components. We describe the current NMFS catch estimation procedures, and include formulas 

that would characterize the uncertainty associated with the estimates. Estimates of variance for 

catch and bycatch are not currently available. The equations to estimate variances are provided 

to guide efforts towards their eventual use. 

iii

v

CONTENTS 

ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................... iii 

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 

Fisheries Description ........................................................................................................... 3 

DATA SOURCES .......................................................................................................................... 4 

Industry Reports of Catch and Production .......................................................................... 5 

Production Reports ................................................................................................... 6 

Landing Reports ....................................................................................................... 7 

Logbooks .................................................................................................................. 7 

Issues and Constraints Associated with Industry Reports........................................ 8 

Observer Program Reports .................................................................................................. 9 

Observer Program Sampling Design ...................................................................... 10 

Observer Program Database Structure ................................................................... 12 

Issues and Constraints Associated with Observer Program Data Collection ......... 12 

CATCH AND BYCATCH ESTIMATION METHODS ............................................................. 13 

Haul-level Estimates.......................................................................................................... 14 

Species-Specific Haul Weight: Trawl Vessels ....................................................... 15 

Species-Specific Haul Weight: Longline and Pot Vessels ..................................... 17 

Observer Estimates of At-Sea Discard ................................................................... 19 

Calibration of Haul-Level Estimates to Landed (Delivery) Weight....................... 20 

Imputation Process for Unsampled Hauls .............................................................. 21 

Fishery-Level Estimates .................................................................................................... 22 

Retained Catch........................................................................................................ 23 

At-Sea Discard of Groundfish Species................................................................... 24 

At-sea Discard of Non-groundfish Species Including Prohibited Species (PSC) .. 25 

DISCUSSION............................................................................................................................... 27 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................... 31 

CITATIONS ................................................................................................................................. 32 

APPENDIX: LIST OF SYMBOLS USED................................................................................... 41 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Obtaining accurate total catch estimates, including retained and at-sea discarded catch, is 

essential for sustainable fisheries management. Underestimation of total catch can lead to 

underestimation of the effect of harvest, and bias in stock assessment models (NRC 1998; Punt et 

al. 2006). Fisheries that are managed under annual catch limits and/or catch share programs 

require timely and accurate total catch information to ensure that allocated harvest amounts are 

not exceeded. 

Total catch estimates in the groundfish fisheries off Alaska are generated by National 

Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) from information provided through a variety of required 

industry reports of harvest and at-sea discard, and data collected through an extensive fishery 

observer program. The methods used to estimate total catch in groundfish fisheries have evolved 

over time. Prior to 1990, total catch in the domestic groundfish fisheries was estimated entirely 

from information provided by the commercial fishing industry. The North Pacific Groundfish 

Observer Program (Observer Program), based at the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 

(AFSC), was implemented in 1990. Analysis of observer information and industry-reported 

catch indicated that industry reports under-represented the total catch of some species (NMFS 

1993). In response to these findings, NMFS revised the total catch estimation methods in 1992 

and applied a process to combine information from observers and industry for catch accounting. 

This process was referred as the “blend system.” 

Reviews of the NMFS estimation and data collection processes provided input for further 

improvements (Vølstad et al. 1997; MRAG Americas 2000, 2002). Recommendations included 

developing statistical procedures for catch estimation and providing measures of uncertainty, 

recording sample level observer data to inform statistical procedures, randomizing observer 

deployments, clarifying the use of industry and observer data, and decreasing the reliance on 

computations made by an observer. In 2003, a new catch accounting system was implemented to 

better meet the increasing information needs of fisheries scientists and managers. The 2003 

improvements in catch estimation included providing more frequent data summaries at finer 

spatial and fleet resolution and the increased use of observer data. 
More recently, estimators of total catch based only on observer data were developed by 

Miller (2005), Miller and Skalski (2006), and Miller et al. (2007). Recommendations made by 

NMFS staff and provided by Miller (2005, 2006) and other reviewers (Vølstad et al. 1997, 

MRAG Americas 2000, 2002) motivated changes to the methods used by observers to collect 

and record data. Redesigned Observer Program data collections were successfully implemented 

in 2008 and include recording sample-specific in lieu of pooled information, increased use of 

systematic sampling over simple random and opportunistic sampling, and decreased reliance on 

observer computations. 

Past reviews of catch estimation in Alaska recommended redesign of the observer 

deployment model and random sample selection of sample units at the higher levels (trips or 

vessels) of the sample design (Vølstad 1997; MRAG Americas 2002, Miller 2005, Miller and 

Skalski 2006). Currently, vessels that are not required to carry an observer on all their fishing 

trips are responsible for obtaining observers for a portion of their trips, at a NMFS specified rate. 

The selection of fishing trips for observation is at the discretion of the vessel operator, and not a 

randomized process. This is a recognized weakness in current catch estimation processes and the 

North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NMFS are currently considering changes to the 

Observer Program that would allow NMFS to control (e.g., randomize) the deployment of 

observers into the fishery to rectify this weakness. In particular, some existing catch accounting 

methodologies described in this document rely on the assumption that the data are from a 

random sample that is representative of fishing activity. Gross violation of this assumption could 

result in biased estimates of catch. 

Our intent is to document the catch estimation methods that are currently being used to 

estimate total catch in the Federal groundfish fisheries off Alaska. The purpose of this paper is 

not to develop new methods, but rather to document the catch estimation methods that are 

currently in place. This is part of ongoing work by NMFS to document, evaluate, and improve 

catch estimation methods used in the Alaskan groundfish fisheries, with a long-term goal of 

improving statistical estimators of catch and bycatch. We briefly discuss the groundfish fisheries 

and management needs before presenting the data sources available for catch estimation and the 

methods currently in use. Variance estimators have been included for some aspects of the 

estimation process. We use the term “total catch” to describe the sum of retained and at-sea 

discarded species and the term “retained catch” to describe quantities not discarded at sea. For 

2
our purposes , fish discarded after delivery to a shoreside processor are considered retained 

catch. 

Fisheries Description 

Fisheries conducted in waters off Alaska are some of the largest in the world. In 2008, 

over 2 billion pounds of fish and shellfish were harvested in waters off Alaska, which was over 

half of the total catch in U.S. waters (NMFS 2009). The Alaskan groundfish fisheries are diverse 

in respect to the species harvested, the gear types employed, and the scale of harvesting and 

processing operations. The major groundfish species targeted in Federal waters are walleye 

pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, rockfish, flatfish, and Atka mackerel. The harvest of groundfish 

in Federal waters are governed under fishery management plans (FMPs) that are specific to the 

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) regions (Fig. 1). The 

groundfish FMPs describe the processes for setting and maintaining annual catch limits, and 

providing for optimum yield and fair resource allocation (Witherell 1997). The biological status 

of groundfish stocks is summarized in annual stock assessment and fishery evaluation (SAFE) 

reports developed by NMFS, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC), and the 

Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Information in the SAFE reports is used by 

NPFMC and NMFS to set catch limits (annual harvest specifications) that meet the management 

goals described in the FMPs. In addition, the FMPs describe policy for setting bycatch limits for 

some species, such as halibut and salmon, whose retention is prohibited in the groundfish 

fisheries; bycatch of these species is referred to as Prohibited Species Catch (PSC). 

The NMFS estimates for total catch are specific to species and fisheries, allowing 

effective monitoring of catch allocations in the annual harvest specifications. Fisheries are 

defined in time and space for species or species groups, and management objectives require 

estimates of catch for fisheries at a resolution that can accommodate fishing seasons and specific 

spatial areas. For example, many fisheries are managed at the NMFS reporting area level, which 

is a geographical area defined within each FMP region (Fig. 1). In addition, inseason managers 

need to estimate and monitor catch and discards in multiple management programs, including 

individual quotas and catch shares; community cooperatives that are part of the Community 

Development Program (CDQ); industry-formed cooperatives that may be using a particular area; 

and by catch that is specific to species, gear, and processing modes. Catch estimation methods 

3
were designed to provide fast turnaround of the information so that catch and bycatch estimates 

are available quickly and enable managers to monitor catch and manage fisheries within 

prescribed limits. 

Components of the total catch are discarded in the Federal groundfish fisheries for two 

primary reasons: either regulations require discard (prohibited species or species closed to 

directed fishing) or the catch has limited or no economic value. A range of management 

measures limit or reduce the incidental catch of non-target and prohibited species caught in 

Alaska groundfish fisheries (Witherell 1997, DiCosimo 2001). Regardless of the reason for 

discards, they are an important component of total catch and should be accounted for in 

estimation processes. 

Generally, three types of vessels (motherships, catcher processors [CPs], and catcher 

vessels [CVs]) utilizing one of four gear types participate in Federal groundfish fisheries. 

Motherships are larger processing vessels that do not fish themselves; they process unsorted 

catch that is delivered from other vessels. Catcher-processor vessels (CPs) fish and process (e.g., 

freeze) their catch at sea. Catcher vessels (CVs) do not have processing capabilities and 

therefore deliver their catch either to shoreside processing plants or motherships. There are four 

main types of gear used by these vessels in the Alaskan commercial fisheries: trawl gear, 

longline (hook and line) gear, pot gear, and jig gear. The majority of the groundfish catch is 

taken by trawl CPs and CVs (Table 1). However, trawl CPs account for only 2.7% of the total 

number of vessels in 2008 Federal groundfish fisheries, while catcher vessels fishing longline 

gear make up the largest percentage of the vessels (61%; Table 2). 

DATA SOURCES 

Data from mandatory fishing industry reports and the North Pacific Observer Program 

are the two sources of information used to estimate total catch in the Federal groundfish fisheries 

off Alaska. Each of these data sources are confidential under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (2007) and therefore can be shared only 

with authorized persons or in summary form for public dissemination. The unprocessed (raw) 

data collected by the Observer Program are available in a spatially aggregated form to the public 

4
on the AFSC website: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/FMA. Aggregated estimates of total catch are 

available on the Alaska Region website at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/catchstats.htm. 

More than half of the estimates of retained catch and groundfish discarded at sea are 

derived exclusively from observer data (Table 3). In 2008, approximately 63% of the retained 

catch was pollock, which is harvested by vessels that generally have high levels of observer 

coverage. For some vessels, at-sea discard rates based on observer data are multiplied by 

industry harvest reports to generate discard estimates. Only 6% of the estimated at sea discards 

of groundfish species is based on industry data alone. Estimates of at-sea discard of prohibited 

species catch (PSC) are based either entirely on observer data, or if observer data are not 

available for a specific trip, on at-sea discard rates from observer data that are applied to industry 

reports of retained catch. With the exception of Pacific halibut PSC, all estimated at-sea discard 

is assumed to have 100% mortality. The halibut mortality rates are determined periodically by 

the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and are specific to the condition of the 

halibut (estimated viability of discarded halibut). These rates are applied to the total estimated 

halibut discard (for a gear type, FMP area (GOA or BSAI), fishery, and year) based on the 

estimated condition of halibut sampled by observers (Williams 2010). 

Industry Reports of Catch and Production 

In 2005, NMFS, ADF&G, and the IPHC implemented an interagency electronic reporting 

system to reduce reporting redundancy and consolidate fishery landing. Vessels in Federal or 

state fisheries report groundfish landing and production through a web-based interface known as 

eLandings. There is also a stand-alone application available for the vessels fishing and 

processing catch at sea (the at-sea fleet). The at-sea fleet submits eLandings files via email. 

Each industry report submitted via eLandings undergoes error checking by NMFS. Data are then 

stored in a database and are made available to the three collaborating agencies. There are two 

basic eLandings report types used for catch estimation: production reports and landing reports. 

5
Production Reports 

At-sea production reports are mandatory for CPs and motherships that are issued a 

Federal Fishing Permit. At-sea production reports include information about the gear type used, 

area fished, product weights (post-processed) by species, and the weight or number of each 

species that was discarded at sea. Incidental catch of non-groundfish species other than PSC 

(such as economically unimportant invertebrates or fish species) are not reported. As of 2009, 

the at-sea fishing fleet has submitted these reports daily. Prior to 2009, these reports were 

submitted weekly. 

Production reports are required for all shoreside processing facilities that receive 

groundfish from Federally permitted CVs. These reports are much simpler than at-sea 

production reports because they only require product weights (post-processed) of each species by 

FMP region (GOA or BSAI). Shoreside production reports are not specific to a vessel, nor do 

they contain information on species that were discarded at sea. Shoreside processors must 

submit these reports to NMFS on a daily basis. 

On production reports, both the weight of product and the weight of whole fish are 

computed values. Product weight (PW) is typically computed as the daily number of cases 

produced (CN) multiplied by the estimated case weight (Q) by product and species. Some 

processors report actual case weights while others report the estimated weight, which is based on 

a standard size of a case of product and is therefore a nominal weight (not measured). The 

product weight is converted to a pre-processed (round) weight of fish by expanding the product 

weight by the ratio of pre-processed fish weight (PRFW) to post-processed fish weight 

(PSTFW). This ratio of pre-processed to post-processed fish weight is the inverse product 

recovery weight (PRR). Hence, the round (RW) weight can be computed as 

( ) ˆ CN Q*

RW

PRR = where the PRR is defined as PSTFW PRR

PRFW = . 

Standardized PRRs are published in Federal regulations for product types and species 

combinations (50 CFR 679 Table 3, 2008). The standardized PRRs are defined in Federal 

regulations as single point estimates, but they were derived from observer data, industry records, 

and sample data (see Berger and Hare 1988; Loh et al. 1989). For the most part, these PRRs 

6
have not been verified or updated recently. Variance estimates are not available for the PRR 

point estimates in Federal regulation. 

Landing Reports 

Landing reports are required when a CV makes a delivery to a shoreside plant or a 

mothership. Upon making a landing, a representative of the shoreside plant or mothership 

submits the landing report into eLandings and a paper “fish ticket” is printed for both the 

processor and the CV representative to sign. The collection period for a landing report is a trip 

for shoreside processors and a day for each CV that delivers to a mothership. A trip for CVs 

delivering to a shoreside processor is defined as the time period between when fishing gear is 

first deployed and the day the vessel offloads groundfish (50 CFR 679.2). Landing reports are 

mandatory for all processors required to have a Federal processing permit, including motherships 

who receive groundfish from Federally permitted CVs. 

Landing reports include the fishing start date, the delivery date, gear type, area fished, a 

breakdown of the weight and condition of each species delivered, and weights of any species that 

were discarded at the plant before processing. Delivering vessels are required to report at-sea 

discard to the processing facility, but these data are not verified. As a result, NMFS does not use 

these landing reports to estimate at-sea discard rates. Information for specific hauls within a trip 

is not available from the landing reports because data are aggregated to delivery level; 

specifically, landing reports are aggregated to a trip if the catch was delivered to a shoreside 

processing plant or aggregated to the day if the catch was delivered to a mothership. 

Logbooks

Paper logbooks are required to be completed and submitted for Federally permitted 

vessels over 60 feet in length that are fishing for groundfish and for vessels that are 25 feet and 

over in length fishing for IFQ halibut. Catcher vessels and CPs that participate in both the 

groundfish fishery and sablefish or halibut IFQ fishery during the same fishing year are allowed 

to submit a single combined NMFS/IPHC logbook. The NMFS logbook program has been in 

place since 1991 and has largely been used for enforcement purposes. For example, catch 

information in logbooks is used to verify compliance with maximum retainable amounts and to 

7
document observer coverage. This information is submitted as hard copy and the information is 

not routinely entered into a database. 

Haul-specific information, including date and time, location, vessel estimates of total 

catch and species-specific catch, fishing gear, fishing depth, and at-sea discard are recorded in 

the logbook. These data are not available electronically and thus are not used in catch 

estimation. For unobserved trips, the logbook data would be extremely useful to determine 

spatial and temporal trends in fishing effort. There have been some past efforts to keypunch data 

from subsets of paper logbooks into electronic format; however, the cost and logistics of this 

effort prohibit wholesale implementation of data entry efforts. A small number of vessels are 

currently participating in an electronic logbook program. This program was implemented in 

2003 and involves 12 voluntary participants. Expansion of electronic logbooks would provide 

haul-specific effort information on unobserved vessels and the information could be useful to 

total catch estimation or observer deployment processes in the future. 

Issues and Constraints Associated with Industry Reports

Although landing and production reports are legally mandated for all deliveries of 

groundfish and are enforceable documents, these data are reported by industry and therefore are 

not independent reports of catch. These data may be subject to the usual suite of reporting errors 

(e.g., unintentional and intentional reporting errors, transcription errors, scale and other 

measurement errors). The variance and bias associated with industry reports of harvest and atsea discard is not known or accounted for in the estimation process, and hence, industry reports 

of harvest are assumed to be true, known values. 

The use of industry-reported information to describe spatially-explicit fishing activities is 

limited. The data provided by industry are generally not recorded at the haul level, and as such 

can only be used in the estimation of catch at the spatial resolution of the report. The smallest 

spatial scale on industry reports containing catch amounts that are electronically available within 

NMFS is the state statistical area (http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/statmaps/statcharts.php). These 

areas are approximately 30nm2

. 

8
Observer Program Reports 

The AFSC’s Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division (FMA) monitors groundfish 

fishing activities in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska and conducts research 

associated with sampling commercial fishery catches, estimating catch and bycatch mortality, 

and analyzing fishery-dependent data. The AFSC is responsible for the oversight of the 

Observer Program, which was implemented on the domestic fleet in early 1990 for vessels 

harvesting groundfish under the FMPs. While onboard vessels, observers are tasked with many 

duties, including monitoring compliance and interactions with endangered species as well as the 

collection of data used in fisheries management. The majority of an observer’s time is spent on 

data collection, which includes collecting biological samples, recording fishing information (e.g., 

catch) and entering collected data. 

Federal regulations (50 CFR 679.50) require certain levels of observer coverage that are 

generally defined by the size of a vessel participating in a fishery and, in some instances, the 

fishery in which a vessel is participating. Observer coverage is defined as the percentage of days 

a vessel is at sea and fishing (or percentage of fishing effort) for which an observer is onboard. 

Coverage levels are divided into three general categories: (1) vessels that are 125 feet or greater 

length overall (LOA) and are not fishing pot gear are required to carry an observer for 100% of 

their trips; (2) vessels that are between 60 feet and 125 feet LOA or are fishing pot gear are 

required to carry an observer for 30% of their fishing days for each calendar quarter during 

which they fish more than 10 days; and (3) vessels less than 60 feet LOA are not required to 

have any observer coverage. Shoreside processing plants that process 1,000 metric tons (t) or 

more of groundfish in a month are required to have observer coverage each day they process 

groundfish while those that process between 500 and 1,000 t of groundfish in a month are 

required to have observer coverage on 30% of their processing days. 

Vessels participating in certain management programs have additional observer coverage 

requirements. For example, vessels participating in the Rockfish Pilot Program (50 CFR 679.80) 

require at least 100% observer coverage, regardless of the length of the vessel. Motherships and 

CPs that participate in either the American Fisheries Act (AFA) directed Pollock fishery) (50 

CFR 679.60) or the Amendment 80 (50 CFR 679.90) management program, are required to have 

9
200% observer coverage, which means that two observers are on board for every fishing trip and 

every haul is sampled. 

Vessels that are required to have 30% observer coverage are responsible for obtaining 

observers to meet their coverage rate requirements. Hence, the vessel operator determines which 

trips will be observed. As a result, the selection of observed trips is not randomized and 

observers are deployed into the fishery in areas and at times that are determined by the fishing 

industry. 

Observer Program Sampling Design 

Sampling of groundfish fisheries employs a stratified sample design that has three strata, 

defined by regulation (50 CFR 679.50), that are generally based on vessel size, gear fished, and 

management program. Vessels in two of the three strata (vessels > than 60 feet LOA and those 

in special management programs) are required to carry observers for some percentage of their 

fishing activities. Within each of the two sampled strata, a multi-stage sampling design is used 

to sample the species composition of the catch, length distribution of select species, and other 

catch components (Table 4). Detailed descriptions of the sampling methods can be found in the 

Observer Sampling Manual, prepared each year by AFSC 

(http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/FMA/default.htm). 

The three strata are defined by vessel size, gear type, and fishery. The vessel size stratum 

is composed of the following: (1) vessels less than 60 feet, (2) vessels 60 to 124 feet and all 

vessels fishing pot gear, and (3) vessels 125 feet and greater or participating in particular 

fisheries. Each of these strata is sampled at different rates. The 0 to 60 foot vessel stratum is not 

sampled by observers (0% sampling rate). Retained catch and at-sea discard estimates for these 

vessels are based, in part, on industry and vessel reports of harvest as well as on observer data. 

In the large-vessel stratum (vessels 125 feet and longer, and not fishing pot gear), observers 

generally monitor 100% of the trips, typically sampling between 50% and 100% of the 

individual fishing events (hauls). Catch estimates from the 125-foot-and-longer vessel stratum 

are based primarily on observer data, with industry and vessel reports comprising a smaller 

percentage of the information used to make the estimates. The medium-sized vessels (between 

60 feet and 125 feet), and all vessels fishing pot gear, are sampled at a rate of 30% of fishing 

10
days. Trips in the 30% stratum are not selected randomly. Vessels are responsible for obtaining 

observer coverage for the correct portion of their fishing days as defined in regulation. Since 

vessels choose when and where they fish with an observer onboard, there is non-random 

deployment of observers, and for some fisheries the observed fishing may not represent the 

fishing behavior of the entire fleet. 

Once an observer is deployed on a vessel, they are responsible for assessing the fishing 

activities on the vessel and determining how to sample the unsorted catch using methodology 

described in the Observer Program Sampling Manual (AFSC 2009). Within each observed trip, 

either all fishing events (hauls, longline sets, or pot sets) are sampled by the observer to obtain 

species composition data, or fishing events are randomly selected to be sampled using a 

constrained simple random sample design (AFSC 2009). The randomization design allows for a 

randomly placed 6-hour break, if needed, and sampling of no more than four consecutive fishing 

events (e.g., a trawl haul or longline set). 

For each sampled haul or set, a random sample of the total catch is obtained. The 

observer establishes a sampling frame, defines the sampling units (potential samples), and 

randomly selects sample units to be collected. Sample frames and units are defined differently 

depending on the vessel type and configuration, the size of the haul, and the gear used. For 

example, sampling options that are available to observers on large CPs are often very different 

from those available on small CVs. In some cases, opportunistically selected samples are taken 

because the vessel configuration or catch handling practices prevent observers from randomly 

sampling the catch. Opportunistic sampling usually occurs on trawl CVs. 

There are three types of sample frames generally used by observers: temporal (sample 

units defined by time), spatial (sample units defined by location or space), and a combined 

temporal-spatial frame. Observers are trained and encouraged to use a systematic sample 

whenever it is logistically feasible. Systematic samples are generally treated as simple random 

samples during data analysis. Variance estimates based on this assumption will tend to be high 

(Thompson 1992). 

On trawl vessels, the entire weight of the catch taken on observed hauls is either 

estimated by the observer or directly measured when onboard flow scales are available. For 

trawl vessels, a portion of the total haul is selected randomly and the weight of each species in 

11
the sample is recorded. The species-specific weight is expanded by the sampling fraction (size 

of sample divided by size of haul) to estimate the total catch of that species. 

For pot and longline vessels, the catch weight for the set is estimated from a randomly 

selected sample, generally resulting in a third of the set being sampled. All fish on the selected 

portion of the gear (hooks or pots) are enumerated. This tally of fish is expanded by the 

sampling fraction (the fraction of total hooks sampled) to estimate the total number of fish 

caught. The number of fish is further expanded by the mean weight per fish to estimate the total 

set weight. Estimates of mean weight per fish are obtained from samples of fish randomly 

selected from both within and outside the enumerated portion of the gear. 

In addition to sampling at sea during fishing operations, groundfish observers also sample 

vessel deliveries to shoreside plants and floating processors. Observers assigned to plants or 

stationary floating processors are responsible for verifying as many delivery weights as possible, 

collecting delivery information, assisting vessel observers in their sampling duties, and collecting 

length data and fish age structures from randomly selected fish (AFSC 2009). 

Observer Program Database Structure

Observer data collected on vessels are transmitted electronically to a centralized database. 

AFSC quality control staff review the data, interview each observer returning from the fishery, 

and conduct several quality control processes for each dataset incorporated into the database. 

This database contains all data collected by observers at processing plants and onboard vessels, 

including marine mammal interaction data, groundfish and non-target catch, and seabird 

sightings. The data tables are generally nested and configured to complement the observer 

sampling methods. Data are organized in the database to reflect where and how the data are 

collected. Observer data are merged with industry reports nightly and are available to fishery 

managers the following day. 

Issues and Constraints Associated with Observer Program Data Collection

The sampling scheme chosen by an observer is often based on expected catch 

composition, the estimated size of the haul or set, and the processing methods used on the vessel. 

Based on this information (size, stratification, diversity), the observer decides upon a sampling 

12
strategy. However, situations arise where an observer’s best assessment of a fishing situation is 

not accurate, and the sampling scheme implemented is not suitable for the haul. An observer 

might encounter unexpected degrees of stratification, pockets of higher or lower species 

diversity, or changes in vessel operations (e.g., due to weather or emergency) that prevent him or 

her from adhering to a selected sampling scheme throughout the sampled haul. 

The ability of an observer to safely obtain random samples of catch is limited on some of 

the smaller CVs, particularly those fishing trawl gear. Fishing vessel crew are required to give 

observers access to unsorted catch, and to provide reasonable assistance. However, on CVs 

observer access to unsorted catch is limited and sampling often occurs when the crew is busy 

with their own duties. An observer’s ability to sample on a CVs is constrained by the speed at 

which catch is brought onto the vessel’s deck, sorted, and placed below deck level. For example, 

fish are dumped from the trawl net onto the deck, immediately sorted by the crew, and 

transferred to the fish holds through trawl alley hatches. To accommodate safety concerns, 

observers often have access to fish at only one or two locations on the deck, and the entire catch 

is not available to be sampled by observers. In these situations, opportunistic samples are taken 

because random sampling is not possible or is unsafe. Opportunistic samples are taken by 

allowing a target sample weight of fish to flow into a checker bin or by collecting a basket of fish 

from the trawl alley. Despite these issues, observers are generally able to obtain random samples 

that are based on appropriate sampling. 

Due to constraints on sample storage space and access to fish, observers are rarely able to 

sample more hauls within a trip by decreasing the average sampling fraction per haul. Observers 

generally do not have the space to store samples or time between hauls to process samples. As a 

result, all fish included in the observer’s samples must be processed before the next haul comes 

onboard. Thus, sampling fewer hauls will not allow larger samples to be taken, and likewise, 

taking smaller samples generally does not result in more hauls being sampled. 

 

CATCH AND BYCATCH ESTIMATION METHODS 

Estimates of retained catch and at-sea discarded groundfish and PSC are generated for 

each fishery described in the FMPs (e.g. Fixed Gear Sablefish fishery in the Aleutian Islands). 

13
Retained and discard catch estimates are based on both observer sample data and industry reports 

of catch (Table 5). Estimation methods follow a post-stratification of hauls and deliveries based 

on gear and area fished, target species (as defined by realized catch), and vessel type. Fisherylevel estimates of total catch (retained catch and at-sea discard) are then obtained by summing all 

hauls or deliveries within the domain (fishery, time, and area) of interest. 

Estimates of retained and discarded catch obtained from observer information are derived 

for each haul on observed trips based on the sampling design for sampled hauls. On trawl 

vessels, this is followed by a nearest-neighbor type of imputation of species composition from 

sampled to unsampled hauls on sampled trips; on fixed-gear vessels catch estimates for 

unsampled sets are based on the amount of gear fished and average catch per unit gear from 

sampled hauls on the trip. Estimates of retained catch from industry are taken from landing and 

production reports, and are assumed to be accurate. Catch reported from these two main data 

sources, observer data and industry reports, provides a complete accounting of all harvest and atsea discard in the Federal groundfish fisheries off Alaska. 

Haul-level Estimates 

The analytical methods that are used to generate point estimates of catch utilize ratio 

estimators that take into account the underlying sample design used to collect the data. The 

methods presented here have been used since 2008 to generate point estimates of catch for 

sampled hauls on observed trips, based on data collected by the Observer Program. Variance 

estimates are not currently computed. Symbols used throughout the next sections are listed in 

the Appendix. 

All the estimators assume simple random selection of samples, although in most cases 

systematic sample selection with a single random starting point is used. The assumption of 

simple random sampling when systematic random sampling has been used will tend to result in 

an overestimation of variance (Thompson, 1992). In some situations on small CVs, conditions at 

sea prevent safe collection of random samples and opportunistic samples are taken instead. 

When samples are selected opportunistically, estimation is based on the assumption of random 

sampling. 

14
Species-Specific Haul Weight: Trawl Vessels

Generally, several samples are taken from each haul to determine the species proportions 

of the haul. The size of these species composition samples may be based on units of time, space, 

or weight. For each sample, the total weight of fish and the weight of fish of each species are 

recorded. A ratio of means estimator is used to estimate the proportion of the haul that is a given 

species. The estimated weight of a species in a haul is the estimated proportion of the haul of 

that species applied to the total weight of the haul. On most CPs (all trawl CPs operating in the 

BSAI), the total weight of fish in a haul is measured directly by a flow (or other type) scale. 

In situations where we have a known total weight of fish in the haul (e.g., from a flow 

scale), the estimated weight of species i in a haul, , is the total weight of fish (W) multiplied 

by the sum of weight of species i, i = 1, ... Ij, over all samples, j, j= 1... J, and divided by the 

sum of the total sample weight, Equation 

ˆWi

(1): 

,

1

,

1

ˆ J

J

i j

j i

i J I

i j

j i

w

w WW W

w

w

=

=

= =

∑

∑∑

 (1) 

The variance of is ˆWi

2 2 4 2 3 ˆ ˆ ˆ ( ) (1 ) ( ) ( ) 2 ( , ) ˆ Var W W p w w Var w w Var w w w Cov w w i w i i i−− − ≅ − ⎡ ⎤ + − ⎣ ⎦ ˆ i (2) 

where pw is the sampling fraction based on weight of fish, and the variances of wi and w are 

computed using the usual formulas. Estimation of the last variance term, 3 2 ( ˆ w w Cov w w i

− , ) i , may 

not be possible since observers generally only randomly select three samples. Omitting the 

covariance term will lead to conservative estimates (overestimates) of the variance. 

This approximate variance, Equation (2), is derived from the Taylor expansion of w wi . 

The above estimator uses size-of-sample as a weighting factor, hence samples that weigh more 

contribute more to the estimate than smaller samples that weigh less. 

In order to maximize the sample fraction for the majority of species in cases where there 

are only two predominant species in the haul, the predominant species are not enumerated in the 

sample; however, subsamples are selected from within the sample and every species in the 

15
subsample is weighed. Not all samples within a haul will necessarily have two predominant 

species (and subsamples). Hence, in order to estimate the weight of the predominant species in 

the catch, the sub-sample data are first expanded to the sample for the predominant species. The 

samples are combined to generate haul-level estimates of catch. 

The weight of one of the two predominant species, i, in sample j is estimated by Equation 

(3) where there are Kj subsamples in sample j, k=1, ... K subsamples in sample j, and is the 

weight of fish of species i in sample j where j = 1, ..., J and Sj is the total weight of predominant 

species in the sample, and is the weight of fish of species i in sample j, sub-sample k where k

= 1, ...., Kj,

wij

wijk

1 1

1 1 1

ˆ

j j

j j j

K K

ijk ijk

k k ij

ij j I K j K j

j

ijk jk

i k k

w w

w

wS S S

w

w w

= =

= = =

= ==

∑ ∑

∑∑ ∑

 (3) 

with variance 

2 2 4 2 3 ˆ ˆ ( ) (1 ) ( ) ( ) 2 ( , ) ˆ ˆ ˆ j Var w S p w w Var w w Var w w w Cov w w ij j w ij j j j ij ij j ij j−− − ≅ − ⎡ + − ⎤ ⎣ ⎦ (4) 

Since most samples that are subsampled (containing two predominant species) have a 

single subsample taken, estimates of uncertainly cannot be developed. However, we can model 

the within-sample variance using the assumption of a binomial distribution of predominant 

species within the subsample. In this case, we have 2 2 ˆ ˆ ( ) (1 ) (1 ) ij ij

ij j j j j

j j

w w

Var w S p p S

w w = −= − , 

where pj is the proportion of the j

th sample that is species i, based on weight of fish. 

This estimated weight is then combined with the other sample weights to estimate the 

catch of species i in the haul as 

1

1

ˆ ˆ ˆ

J

ij

j i

i J

j

j

w

w WW W

w

w

=

=

= =

∑

∑

 (5) 

with variance 

16
2 2 4 2 3 ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ( ) (1 ) ( ) ( ) 2 ( , ) ˆ Var W W p w w Var w w Var w w w Cov w w i w i i i

−− − = − ⎡ ⎤ + − ⎣ ⎦ ˆ ˆ i (6) 

where 

2

1 1

ˆ () ( ˆ ˆ

ˆ ˆ ( ) 1

J J

ij i ij

j j

i

w w Var w

Var w

)

J J

= =

−

= + −

∑ ∑

 and 

( )2

1 ˆ ( )

J

j

j

w w

Var w

J

=

−

=

∑

. 

Species-Specific Haul Weight: Longline and Pot Vessels

Estimation methods for the longline and pot fisheries are similar to the trawl estimation 

methods. The major difference is that the unit of measure used on longline and pot vessels is a 

unit of gear (hooks or pots), whereas on trawl vessels the units are measured in terms of volume 

or weight. Overall, observer estimates of species-specific weights are based on the meanweight-per-hook or mean-weight-per-pot statistic expanded by the total number of hooks or pots 

retrieved in a set. The mean weight per hook or pot is the estimated weight of fish sampled 

(number of fish in sample multiplied by mean weight per fish), divided by the total number of 

hooks or pots sampled. The total number of hooks retrieved is the total number of gear segments 

set expanded by the mean number of hooks per gear segment. 

For a given sample, the estimated weight of fish of a given species, , is the mean 

weight per fish expanded by the number of fish in the sample, Nij, 

ˆwij

1 ˆ

K

ijk

k

ij ij ij ij

ij

w

w N Nw

f

=

⎡ ⎤

⎢ ⎥ = = ⎢ ⎥

⎢ ⎥

⎢ ⎥ ⎣ ⎦

∑

, (7) 

where fij, is the number of fish weighed of species i in sample j. This estimated variance, 

Equation (8), is the usual variance estimator: 

2

2 2 1

( )

ˆˆ ˆ () () ( 1)

K

ijk ij

k

ij ij ij ij

ij ij

w w

Var w N Var w N

f f

=

⎡ ⎤ − ⎢ ⎥ = = ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ − ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎣ ⎦

∑

. (8) 

Longline sets consist of segments of line with baited hooks. Each segment is called a 

skate or magazine of gear. The estimated number of hooks sampled, , is the mean number of ˆ

j h

17
hooks per gear segment (skate or magazine) multiplied by the total number of segments in the 

sample, mj: ˆ

j j h mh = , where h is the mean number of hooks per segment determined through an 

independent sample of gear taken weekly and where mj is the number of segments of gear in 

sample j. Each week the observer (non-randomly) selects 20% of the gear and records the 

number of hooks on each selected sample. The variance is estimated as ˆ 2 ˆ ˆ ( ) () Var h m Var h j j =

where Var h ˆ ( ) is computed in the usual manner under the assumption of a simple random 

sample. 

The weight per hook, , is estimated as the sum over all samples of the species-specific 

sample weights divided by the sum of the sampled hooks, Equation 

, ˆwi h

(9): 

1

,

1

ˆ

ˆ

ˆ

J

ij

j

i h J

j

j

w

w

h

=

=

=

∑

∑

 (9) 

The variance for this estimator is presented in Equation (10): 

2 4 2 4

,

1 1 1 1 1 11 1

ˆ ˆˆ ˆ ˆˆ ˆ ˆ ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )( ) ( ˆˆ ˆˆ ˆ J J J J J JJ J

i h ij j j j ij ij j j

j j j j j jj j

Var w w h Var h h Var w Var w h Var h − − −

= = = = = == =

= +− ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑∑ ∑ ˆ ) .(10) 

Assuming independence between the number of hooks and the mean weight per hook, 

this is the exact variance of the ratio (Goodman 1960). The total number of hooks fished ( Hˆ ) is 

the mean number of hooks per unit of gear ( h ) expanded by the known total number of units of 

gear fished (M) or H Mh ˆ = with variance 2 ˆ Var H M Var h ˆ ˆ ( ) () = . 

Finally, the total weight of a given fish species for the haul, , is given by Equation ˆWi (11)

with variance given by Equation(12): 

 (11) , ˆ ˆ ˆ W Hw i = i h

). (12) 2 2

, , , ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆˆ ˆ ˆ ˆˆ ˆ () ( ) () ( ) ( Var W H Var w w Var H Var w Var H i i = +− h i h i h

18
On trips where not all the longline sets are sampled, the total haul weight ( ) is 

computed as the mean weight per hook for all sets in the trip multiplied by the number of hooks 

set on the unsampled haul. 

Wˆ

The preceding section described the estimation for longline gear; however, the same 

estimation process is followed for pot gear. The single exception is that the number of pots set is 

a known constant, not estimated from sampling. Hence, , where H is the known 

number of pots fished. The variance then simplifies to . 

, ˆ ˆ W Hw i =

ˆ Var W H ( ) =

i h

ˆ h

2

, ˆ ˆ ( ) i i Var w

Observer Estimates of At-Sea Discard

The catch of groundfish that is discarded at sea is estimated using the same general 

computations for all gear types (longline, pot, and trawl). The observer assesses the amount of 

catch that is discarded at sea for each species encountered in the haul. This estimate is based on 

the observer’s best professional judgment and may include observations of at-sea discard from 

the deck, estimates of the numbers of fish that dropoff longline gear as it is retrieved, estimates 

of at-sea discard from the factory (made by the vessel or by the observer), and estimated 

differences between total catch and final product. Discard is challenging because it can occur at 

many places in a fishing and processing operation. 

The weight of at-sea discarded fish of species i, ˆDi ,can be computed by applying the 

estimated at-sea discard rate, , to the total estimated haul weight, , for species i, Equation ˆ

i d Wˆ

(13). The variance of at-sea discards is estimated by Equation (14). 

ˆ ˆ i i ˆ D i = d W (13) 

 (14) ˆ ˆ 2 2 ˆ ˆˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆˆ ( ) ( ) () ( ) () Var D d Var W W Var d Var W Var d ii ii i i =+− ˆ

i

Unfortunately, since the estimates of at-sea discard rate are not based on sampling, the 

variance ( ) is not available. The magnitude of bias (if any) associated with these 

estimates is not known at this time. However, if we are willing to assume that the at-sea discard 

rate is a binomial proportion (the probability of at-sea discard) and the amount of at-sea discard 

is binomially distributed, then the variance for discards is . 

ˆ ˆ ( ) Var di

ˆˆ ˆ ˆ ( ) (1 ) Var d d d ii i = −

19
Calibration of Haul-Level Estimates to Landed (Delivery) Weight

Catcher vessels in the AFA pollock fishery generally deliver a large amount of their 

prohibited species catch (PSC) to shoreside processing plants. These prohibited species 

individuals are counted by observers at the dockside plant as the CV offloads. However, the 

Alaska Region database and estimation process is currently configured to accept observer data 

only at the haul level, not at the offload level at which PSC data are collected. PSC information 

collected by observers requires data collected at the shoreside plant to be apportioned back to 

those hauls that contributed to that delivery. Thus, for CVs where the delivery weight of 

relatively unsorted catch exists, the observer estimates are adjusted so that the sum of the species 

catch weight equals the delivery weight and at-sea discard weight. Vessel logbook information 

is used to determine the total number of hauls made in a trip. 

The basic adjustment ratio for a delivery where the total delivery weight as measured by 

the plant (O) is available and the delivery is monitored is the proportion of the retained weight of 

the haul of interest (h) to the total retained weight over all sampled hauls in the delivery. This 

ratio, ˆ

Rh , is computed for the total catch , Equation (15), and for an individual species in the 

catch, Equation (16), as the ratio of retained catch for an individual haul divided by the total 

retained catch in the delivery, where i indexed species, h indexed hauls, H is the total number of 

hauls in the delivery as reported by the vessel, h=1, ..., H, is the weight of prohibited species 

i contained in observer’s samples from haul h,

ih S

Xih is the pre-sorted catch of species i from haul 

h, and ˆDih is the estimated at-sea discard of species i (observer or vessel estimate) for haul h: 

1

ˆ ˆ ( ˆ

ˆ ˆ ( )

h hh h

h H

h hh h

h

W DS X R

W DS X =

− ++ = )

⎡ − ++ ⎤ ∑⎣ ⎦

 (15) 

1

ˆ ˆ ( ˆ

ˆ ˆ ( )

ih ih ih ih

ih H

ih ih ih ih

h

W DS X R

W DS X =

− ++ = )

⎡ − ++ ⎤ ∑⎣ ⎦

. (16) 

The adjusted total haul weight is , and the prohibited species catch predicted 

for haul h is given by Equation 

* ˆ ˆ W RO h h =

i Dpro (17), where is the delivered weight of prohibited species i. 

20
. (17) , ˆˆ ˆ i i D RD S D pro h ih pro ih ih ih = ++ + X

ˆDih

The total catch of monitored species for all hauls in the delivery is the sum of the 

estimated catch of monitored species over all monitored species: ˆ

h

i M

D ∈= ∑ , where M is the set 

of monitored species. 

This apportioning of catch of a single species from the delivery to the haul assumes that 

the ratio of the weight of a haul to the total delivery weight is the same as the ratio of the weight 

of a single species within the haul to the total species weight over all hauls (i.e. all hauls have the 

same species composition). Further, this apportioning of PSC results in PSC only being 

attributed to sampled hauls for that trip (delivery). However, the species composition of 

unsampled hauls within an observed trip are imputed for retained catch and at-sea discard of 

groundfish using the methods described in the next section. For PSC species, the total PSC 

bycatch for the trip is based on expanding the PSC bycatch rate of the sampled hauls on the 

observed trip to the total trip catch of groundfish (retained and discarded at-sea). The NMFS is 

in the process of changing programming in the catch accounting system to eliminate the 

apportioning of offload data to individual hauls. Programming changes would allow PSC census 

data at the trip level to be used to estimate overall PSC catch. 

Imputation Process for Unsampled Hauls 

A deterministic imputation method, based on matching hauls within the data collected for 

that calendar year and using a set of covariates, is used to estimate species catch rate for unsampled hauls in observed trips. This imputation method is used to estimate the species catch 

rate for groundfish species only (both retained and at-sea discard) on observed trips. Methods of 

estimation for PSC and other non-groundfish species are covered in a separate section. On 

observed trips where not all the hauls are sampled, the species composition data from the next 

nearest haul (in time and area) within the same vessel and gear type is substituted for the missing 

data. Additionally, when hauls are within the same FMP area, a spatial match takes precedence 

over a temporal match. Once the set of hauls matching the vessel, gear type, and area criteria is 

identified, the haul closest in time to the unsampled haul is selected in the following order: 

1. Sampled haul occurred on same day as the unsampled haul, but prior. 

21
2. Sampled haul occurred on same day as the unsampled haul, but later. 

3. Sampled haul occurred on different day than the unsampled haul, but prior to it within 7 

days. 

4. Sampled haul occurred on different day than the unsampled haul, but no more than 7 days 

later. 

Once a matching (similar) haul is identified, the species composition from the selected 

sampled haul is multiplied by the total haul weight of the unsampled haul. On trips where not all 

the longline sets are sampled, the total haul weight (W ) is computed as the mean weight per 

hook for all sets in the trip multiplied by the number of hooks set on the unsampled haul. For the 

unsampled haul, Equation 

ˆ

ˆ (18), where A Wi is the adjusted estimated total weight of species i for 

the unsampled haul, W is the total weight of the unsampled haul, W is the total weight of the 

sampled haul, and W is the estimated catch for species i

uh

, ˆi h

h

 in the sampled haul: 

, ˆ u A h

i

h

W

W W

W= ˆ

i h . (18) 

This adjustment factor is applied to the estimated species weight, estimated species 

number, and sampled species weight and number. If we consider that the total haul weight is a 

constant, the variance of the adjusted catch can be estimated by scaling the variance of the 

sampled haul by Equation (19) where the variance is defined by Equation (12): 

2

2 , ˆ ˆ ˆ () ( u A h

i

h

W

Var W Var W

W= ˆ ) i h . (19) 

Fishery-Level Estimates 

Estimates of retained and at-sea discarded catch for each fishery are generated by 

combining haul-level estimates (or reported catch) for all hauls within a defined fishery 

(domain). The domains are defined largely by area, gear, vessel type, and the predominant 

species retained during the trip (i.e., trip target). 

The data that are used to determine the predominant species retained during a trip 

depends on the amount of observer coverage and the type of vessel (mothership, CP, or CV). If 

22
the vessel is a CP or mothership with at least 100% observer coverage, then observer data is used 

to determine the trip target. For all other vessels, either a production or landing report is used. 

Determining the trip target is a three-step process that is implemented in the catch accounting 

system: (1) if 95% or more of the retained catch is pollock, then a pollock target is assigned; (2) 

if the sum of all flatfish is greater than the amount of any other species, then flatfish is assigned 

as the trip target; 3) if neither pollock nor flatfish is determined as the target, then the groundfish 

species that has the highest proportion of the retained catch is assigned as the target. 

Retained Catch

Estimates of retained catch are generated from both observer estimates (on ≥100% 

observed CPs and CVs delivering to motherships) and industry reports (on <100% observed CPs 

and motherships, CVs delivering shoreside) of retained catch (Table 5). Note that observer 

estimates and industry reports include all retained catch; discards of catch that occur at the 

processing plant are included in these estimates. Since all hauls have either estimated or known 

catch, the estimator of total catch is the sum across strata of the estimates of catch for a given 

species for all hauls within the domain, Equation (20), where is the observer estimate of 

harvest for species i and haul h on a CP with 100 or 200% observer coverage or a CV delivering 

to a mothership, and is the delivered weight of species i in delivery d from CPs or 

motherships with less than 100% observer coverage and CVs delivering shoreside (industry 

report of retained catch): 

ˆWih

Wid

ˆ ˆ i ih

ha da

CW W ∈ ∈= + ∑ ∑ id . (20) 

On observed trips, the harvest for each species in each haul is either estimated from 

observer sample data or generated through the imputation process. Hence, there is no sampling 

variance within strata, except the variance associated with expansions of observer sample data. 

Thus, assuming industry reports are known constants with no error, Equation (21) is an 

appropriate variance estimator, where is defined in Equation ˆ ˆ ( Var Wih )

ih

(12): 

ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ () ( ) i

h a

Var C Var W ∈= ∑ (21) 

23
The variance in Equation (21) will tend to underestimate the actual variance in retained 

catch since the associated with unsampled hauls does not include the variance 

associated with the imputation process, simply the scaled variance in total catch from the 

selected nearest-neighbor haul. 

ˆ ˆ ( Var Wih )

ˆ

At-Sea Discard of Groundfish Species 

For catcher-processors that have 100% (one observer, random selection of hauls are 

sampled) and 200% (two observers, all hauls are sampled) observer coverage and CVs delivering 

to motherships (all have ≥100% coverage), observer data is used entirely to estimate the amount 

of groundfish that was discarded at sea. These at-sea discards are quantified (observed) by the 

observer on the vessels; estimates are based, in part, on the observer’s best professional 

judgment, and haul-level variances are largely unknown (see previous at-sea discard discussion). 

Since each haul is accounted for, either through sampling or the imputation process, there is no 

between-haul sample variance. The total at-sea discard for this post-stratum of a fishery 

(domain) is the sum of estimated at sea-discards for those hauls within a domain. 

For CPs in the 0% and 30% observer coverage portions of the fishery, at-sea discards are 

reported by the industry and are assumed to be known. In this case, the total at sea discard for 

this post-stratum is the sum of reported at-sea discards for all landings. 

For CVs delivering their catch to plants on shore, observer-based at-sea discard rates are 

applied to the total retained catch recorded on industry reports (including the shoreside discards 

reported by the plant). The at-sea discard rates are based on a post-stratification of hauls based 

on two covariate groupings: 

1. aggregated on week end date, gear type, trip target code, and reporting area; and 

2. aggregated across reporting areas; by week end date, gear type, trip target code, and FMP 

area. 

The ratio estimator of at-sea discard rate is the at-sea discard for a given species divided 

by the total retained groundfish of all species. This ratio is computed for each post-stratum, r, 

using all the observer-based estimates of at sea discard, , within the post-stratum. The ratio is 

applied to the retained landed weight within the same post-strata. The domain estimates for 

these post-strata are then the sum of the hauls within the domain of interest. Letting 

D

24
i = index the species of interest 

a = index the domain of interest (small area=fishery) 

r = index the post-strata (rate computation) 

hop = index hauls on observed trips on >100% observed CPs, M 

hi = index all hauls on <100% CPs 

hov = index observed hauls on CVs 

hv = index hauls on CVs 

Hr = total hauls in post-strata 

Cˆ = estimated total retained groundfish based on observer sample; ˆ ˆ

i

i groundfish

C W ∈= ∑

* C = total industry reported retained groundfish (all species) 

Dˆ = estimated total at sea discarded groundfish based on observer sample and, 

* D = total industry reported at-sea discards on 30% CPs, 

then the at-sea discard of groundfish species i for a fishery (or domain) a is estimated using 

Equation (22): 

, ,,

*

, , , , ,

, ,

ˆ

ˆ

ˆ

ov

ov r

v op

r op a i a

ov

ov r

ih ra

h H

i a h ra ih a ih a

r a h H h H h H

h ra

h H

D

D CD

C

∈

∈ ∈ ∈∈

∈

⎛ ⎞ ⎜ ⎟

= +

⎝ ⎠

∑

∑ ∑ ∑∑

∑

*

, , ˆ i + D . (22) 

The summations in the above equation are not within sampling strata, but rather are 

pooled by vessel type. As a result, variance estimators for at-sea discard of groundfish species 

cannot be developed. 

At-sea Discard of Non-groundfish Species Including Prohibited Species (PSC) 

At-sea discard of prohibited species is estimated in numbers of individuals for salmon 

and crab (Tanner, red king, and snow), and in weight (t) for herring and halibut. Since no catch 

of prohibited species can be legally retained for sale (with exception of food donation programs), 

all catch is assumed to be discarded at sea. At-sea discard of any other non-groundfish species is 

estimated in the same manner and is calculated as weight (t) of incidental catch. These non25
target species include invertebrates, forage fish, and other non-groundfish species that are not 

retained. 

The estimation method for at-sea discard of prohibited and non-groundfish species differs 

based on the observer coverage strata. For CPs with 100% observer coverage or greater and CVs 

delivering to motherships, the observer estimate of prohibited species discarded catch is the 

observer-based estimate of at-sea discard for that species. For vessels with less than 100% 

observer coverage and CVs delivering to shoreside processors, an observer-based rate is applied 

to the total groundfish catch (the sum of a landing or production report of total groundfish catch 

and the at-sea discard calculated using the methods described in the preceding section). 

The catch rate (ratio of estimated prohibited species to total estimated total catch in 

sampled hauls) is based on varying levels of post-stratification (Table 6). For all rates except the 

vessel-specific and the FMP-level rates, a minimum of three observed hauls is required for the 

rate to be generated. The vessel-specific and the FMP-level rates can be generated if data from 

one or more hauls are available in the observer data. 

For each landing report, the mean value based on the closest match of aggregating 

variables (level of detail) is applied to landing amounts (numbers or weights). As with the 

estimation of retained and incidental catch, prohibited species incidental catch is the sum over all 

landings within a domain of estimated prohibited species incidental catch. For observed trips, 

the total groundfish is the species-specific estimates of catch summed over all groundfish 

species, Equations (23) and (24): 

,

{ }

ˆ ˆ oh

i Groundfish

G ∈= o ∑ Wi h (23) 

,

{ }

ˆ ˆ ˆ () ( oh

i Groundfish

Var G Var W ∈= ˆ )

o ∑ i h . (24) 

This includes the haul-specific estimates for unsampled hauls (on observed trips) that are 

generated through the imputation process. For unobserved trips, the total groundfish for a given 

haul (h), , is the sum over all groundfish species of the harvest and the at-sea discarded catch, 

as reported by industry, Equation 

Gh

(25): 

( , , )

{ }

h i h

i Groundfish

G C ∈= ∑ + Di h . (25) 

26
The at-sea discard of prohibited and non-groundfish species catch, , is the ratio 

estimate of at-sea discard rate applied to total groundfish catch (landing report) for CVs and 

vessels with less than 100% coverage plus the observed at-sea discards on vessels with 100% or 

greater coverage. This is computed using Equation 

, ˆ i Da pro

(26), where to indexes observed trips, ho

indexes sampled hauls, h indexes of all hauls on CVs and vessels in the <100% observed strata, 

and h*

 indexes all hauls on CPs and motherships in the >=100% observed strata, 

*

*

,,, , ,

, , , ,

, , ,

ˆ ˆ

ˆ ˆ

ˆ ˆ

o i oo i

o r o o

i o

r o o

o o o

o r o o

h r a pro h t a pro

h H h t

a pro hra h ta r a h H t a h t

h ra h ta

h H h t

W W

D G

G G

∈

∈ ∈

∈ ∈ ∈∈ ∈ ∈

∈ ∈

= +

∑ ∑

∑ ∑∑ ∑

∑ ∑

G

.

 (26) 

In the above equation, the index of sub-domain, r, defines the covariates used to define 

observed hauls that are used to estimate the bycatch rate. For observed trips on CVs the set of 

covariates always includes the specific trip and FMP area. For observed trips on CPs the set of 

covariates always includes the specific trip (defined as week), gear type, and NMFS reporting 

area. Hence, for all vessels with 100% or greater observer coverage (second term in the above 

equation), the set of covariates is always trip-specific. For vessels with less than 100% coverage, 

the set of covariates used to define the at-sea discard rate for observed trips is trip-specific. 

DISCUSSION 

The catch and bycatch estimators that we present are not an attempt to develop new 

statistical estimators, but rather to document the methods used to quantify catch for inseason 

management of Alaska groundfish fisheries. Variance estimators are provided in some cases, 

especially where sampling is randomized. 

The catch and associated variance estimators for haul-level estimates are based on the 

sample design currently employed by the NMFS. There are sources of variance associated with 

the haul-level catch estimates that are not included in the equations. These include situations 

where observers are not able to collect multiple samples, are not able to randomize their sample 

collection, or where total haul weight is not known (estimated). In addition, some parameters are 

considered to be known (without variance), when in fact there is likely to be some associated 

27
error. For example, observer estimates often use vessel (flow) scale weights of catch. However, 

allowed scale tolerances (±3%) are not included in the estimation of variance nor is possible bias 

to this tolerance examined. As a result, equations provide a minimum estimate of the variance 

associated with catch; actual variances for these catch estimates are expected to be larger. 

An evaluation of observer sampling methods could be conducted to evaluate the 

effectiveness of, and alternatives to, current sampling methods used on catcher-only vessels and 

the methods used to assess the species-specific discard rates obtained by observers to further 

improve quality of observer data. There are currently no formal sampling procedures for 

observers to estimate discard of each species for a given haul. Due to logistical constraints that 

arise from sampling in a factory setting, it is unlikely that a well- defined sampling design can be 

developed. As a result, the estimation of variance associated with at-sea discard of groundfish 

and non-groundfish species is limited. 

As described earlier, the fishery-level catch estimators have been developed over time to 

meet the fishery management needs. Variance estimation at the fishery level for the catch and 

bycatch estimators presented is complicated by many factors including the lack of randomization 

in observer deployments, use of industry and PRR based reports, the use of imputation and 

apportioning methods, and post-stratification of data. 

Currently, the process used to deploy observers in fisheries with less than 100% coverage 

is problematic. For this portion of the fleet, vessel operators determine when (and where) 

observers are deployed under the requirement that 30% of the fishing effort is observed. Of 

particular concern under this deployment model is the non-representativeness of observed trips 

and vessels that arises from the non-random selection of trips to be observed. This leads to 

potential non-representativeness of the spatial and temporal distribution of observed catch 

relative to total catch, which in turn, could result in biased catch estimation. 

NMFS and NPFMC are currently considering options for changing the deployment 

model used to place observers into the fishery. Several alternatives for restructuring and funding 

the Observer Program are being analyzed. Each action alternative being considered would 

provide NMFS control over the placement of observers for those vessels and fishing trips 

currently subject to less than 100% observer coverage. This would greatly increase NMFS’ 

28
ability to assess uncertainty associated with catch and bycatch estimates by allowing valid 

statistical estimators to be developed. 

In addition, the NMFS Alaska Regional Office, NMFS AFSC, and the Pacific States 

Marine Fisheries Commission are currently working to evaluate the procedures used to estimate 

total catch and discard for Alaskan groundfish fisheries. This evaluation is expected to assess 

alternate estimators of total catch and bycatch as well as to develop and incorporate statistically 

valid variance estimates. Specifically, we will be investigating methods of estimation that 

minimize the use of non-statistical methods such as the nearest-neighbor imputation used to 

predict catch of unsampled hauls and the apportioning of catch from the delivery back to the 

individual hauls. 

Imputation methods that incorporate stochasticity have been developed (see Nordholt, 

1998) and may be useful if imputation to unsampled hauls is necessary to the estimation process. 

These methods preserve the variance structure of the estimates, use data from the same dataset 

for imputation, and are well documented. Alternately, imputation of the mean will not add any 

imputation variance, and in the case of randomly selected hauls, the estimates will not be biased 

(Nordholt 1998). 

The post-stratification of observer data for the determination of discard rates currently 

does not take into account the differential sampling rates caused by stratification of observer 

coverage and by the vessel-specific nature of observer coverage requirements. As a result the 

discard rates developed may be biased. An analysis of the post-stratification of observer data 

needs to be conducted, inclusive of an evaluation of the choice of covariates used to define poststrata and an overall sample size analysis. 

The current methodology makes use of ratio estimators to estimate catch at the fisherylevel. Ratio estimators are potentially biased, however, and the bias increases with decreasing 

relationship between the numerator and denominator of the ratio, and with decreasing sample 

size (Cochran 1977, Thompson 1992). Use of a ratio estimator when there is no relationship 

between numerator and denominator can result in 1) large variance in predictions and 2) 

potential bias (Cochran 1977). While the use of entirely design-based methods seems attractive 

(e.g., Miller 2005), there are advantages to continued use of ratio estimators in generating catch 

estimates. Ultimately, ratio methods will be evaluated along with the completely design-based 

29
estimators recommended by Miller (2005). Increased use of design-based estimators that rely 

only on observer data will also be assessed in terms of relative bias and variance associated with 

the final fishery-level total catch and discard estimates. 

Lastly, we recognize that the actual PRRs experienced by processors may differ from 

those published in Federal regulation due to different factory configurations, processing staff, 

and size of fish, and that potential bias has not been assessed. In addition, estimates of variance 

associated with the published PRR point estimates are not available. Hence, these published 

PRRs are nominal values and may not reflect differences in technology, or spatial and seasonal 

differences in the efficiency of processing operations. 

The methodology that we describe is a detailed account of current estimation techniques 

and provides examples of the formulas and associated assumptions that could be used to 

characterize uncertainty. We provide an important foundation from which to evaluate the 

statistical limitations and make improvements to the estimation procedures. The continuing 

challenge is to implement rigorous methods while at the same time meeting the need for near 

real-time information for quota monitoring and inseason management. Certain statistical 

methods that might provide very robust estimates may not lend themselves to near real-time use 

without a large increase in staff resources. These issues are being considered as part of ongoing 

effort by NMFS to evaluate and make improvements to the catch estimation procedures, and we 

expect that this evaluation will result in estimators, with measures of uncertainty, that are more 

robust while meeting management needs. 

30
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

We gratefully acknowledge Dr. Martin Dorn (AFSC), Dr. Craig Faunce (AFSC), Dr. William 

Karp (AFSC), Martin Loefflad (AFSC), Pam Mason (AKRO), and Susan Salveson (AKRO) who 

provided useful comments and review. 

31
CITATIONS 

Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC). 2009. Observer Sampling Manual. Fisheries 

Monitoring and Analysis Division, North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program. Alaska 

Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, Washington, 98115. 

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/FMA/document.htm

Berger, J. D., and S. Hare. 1988. Product recovery rates obtained aboard foreign fishing vessels 

operating in the Northwest Pacific Ocean and Eastern Bering Sea 1983-85. U.S. Dep. 

Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS- F/NWC-129, 81p. 

Cochran, W. G. 1977. Sampling Techniques. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 

DiCosimo, J. 2001. Summary of the Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. 

North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 4th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501,. 

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/fmp/goa/goa.html. 

Goodman, L. A., 1960. On the exact variance of products. J. Am. Stat. Soc. 55(292):708-713. 

Loh, L., J. E. Smoker, L. J. Watson, J. D. Berger, and M. W. Eklund. 1989. A review of product 

recovery rates for Alaska groundfish. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS 

F/NWC-175, 22p. 

Miller, T.J. 2005. Estimation of catch parameters from a fishery observer program with multiple 

objectives. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 417 p. 

Miller, T. J., and J. R. Skalski. 2006. Estimation of seabird bycatch for north Pacific longline 

vessels using design-based methods. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 63: 1878-1889. 

Miller, T.J., J. R. Skalski, and J. Ianelli. 2007. Optimizing a stratified sampling design when 

faced with multiple objectives. ICES J. Mar. Sci. 64: 97-109. 

MRAG Americas, 2000. Independent review of the North Pacific Groundfish Observer 

Program. Report prepared for NOAA/ NMFS, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Fisheries

Monitoring and Analysis Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. 

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/FMA/PDF_DOCS/NPGOP%20Review%20Final%20Report. 

pdf 

MRAG Americas, 2002. Evaluation and analysis of current field sampling used in north Pacific 

groundfish fisheries. Task 2: Catch Estimation. Report prepared for NOAA/ NMFS, 

Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division, 7600 Sand 

Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Science and Technology. 2009. Fisheries 

of the United States. http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/fus/fus08/index.html 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 1993. A Discussion of 1992 Weekly Processor 

Report Data in Terms of Retained Catch, Total Reported Catch, and Estimated Total 

Catch. Report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 4th Ave., 

Anchorage, AK 99501. December 1993 Meeting Agenda Item C-5(a)(1). 

National Research Council (NRC). 1998. Improving Fish Stock Assessments. National 

Academy Press, Washington, DC. 177 pp. 

32
Nordholt, E. S. 1998. Imputation: methods, simulation experiments, and practical examples. Int. 

Stat. Rev. 66(2): 157-180. 

Punt, A. E., D. C. Smith, G. N. Tuck, and R. D. Methot. 2006. Including discard data in 

fisheries stock assessments: Two case studies from south-eastern Australia. Fish. Res. 

79(3): 239-250. 

Thompson, S. K. 1992. Sampling. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. 

Vølstad, J.H., W. Richkus, S. Gaurin, R. Easton. 1997. Analytical and statistical review of 

procedures for collection and analysis of commercial fishery data used for management 

and assessment of groundfish stocks in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off Alaska. 

Report prepared for NOAA/ NMFS, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Fisheries 

Monitoring and Analysis Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. 

Williams, G.H. 2010. Pacific halibut discard mortality rates in the 2008 CDQ and non-CDQ 

groundfish fisheries, and recommendations for 2010-2012. Int. Pac. Halibut Comm. 

Report of Assessment and Research Activities 2009:413-426. 

Witherell, D. 1997. Summary of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fishery 

Management Plan. North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 4th Ave., 

Anchorage, AK 99501, 

http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/fmp/bsai/BSAIFMP/bsfmp97.htm (AFSC, 

2007). 

33
Figure 1. -- Fisheries management plan regions and Federal reporting areas in Alaska. The 

Bering Sea and Aleutian Island (BSAI) region is shown in dark grey shading; the 

Gulf of Alaska (GOA) is shown in light grey shading; and NMFS Federal reporting 

areas are identified with numbers. 

34
 
Table 1. -- The amount, in metric tons (t), and the percent of total groundfish catch by vessel 

type in the 2008 Alaskan federally managed commercial fishery (from 2008 NMFS 

Regional Office catch accounting system). Percentages reflect the total withincategory amount compared to the total for all vessel and gear categories. 

Catch (percent total) 

Gear Total catch 

Catcher-vessels 

delivering to 

motherships 

At-sea catcherprocessors 

Catcher-vessels 

delivering to 

shore 

Trawl 1,546,139.4 

(88.6%) 

104,484.9 

(6.0%) 

858,130.5 

(49.2%) 

583,524.1 

(33.4%) 

Longline 149,814.5 

(8.6%) 

4.8 

(<0.01%) 

125,767.3 

(7.2%) 

24,042.4 

(1.4%) 

Pot 47,660.8 

(2.7%) 

1,586.8 

(0.1%) 

4,730.2 

(0.3%) 

41,343.8 

(2.4%) 

Jig 1,865.0 

(0.1%) 

0.0 

(0%) 

0.0 

(0%) 

1,865.0 

(0.1%) 

Total Catch 1,745,479.8 

(100%) 

106,076.5 

(6.1%) 

988,627.9 

(56.6%) 

650,775.3 

(37.3%) 

35
Table 2. -- The number and percent of vessels by gear and vessel type in the Alaskan groundfish 

fishery in 2008 (NMFS Alaska Regional Office catch accounting system). 

Percentages reflect the total within-category amount compared to the total for all 

vessel and gear categories. There are 1,350 unique vessels; 173 vessels fished in 

multiple capacities. 

Number of vessels (percent) 

Gear Total vessels 

Catcher-vessels 

delivering to 

motherships 

At-sea catcher 

processors 

Catcher-vessels 

delivering to shore 

Trawl 193 (12.7%) 8 (0.5%) 41 (2.7%) 144 (9.5%) 

Longline 969 (63.6%) 1 (0.07%) 41 (2.7%) 927 (60.9%) 

Pot 207 (13.6%) 11 (0.7%) 7 (0.5%) 189 (12.4%) 

Jig 154 (10.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0%) 154 (10%) 

Total Vessels 1,523 (100%) 20 (1.3%) 89 (5.8%) 1,414 (92.8%) 

36
Table 3.-- Percentage of the 2008 catch estimates that were derived from different data source 

categories. The data type ‘Mixed Observer and Industry’ refers to catch estimates 

generated from application of an at sea discard rate from observer data to an industry 

report of total catch. Prohibited species catch (PSC) is the catch of specific species, 

such as salmon, that have economic value in non-groundfish fisheries and therefore 

cannot be retained in groundfish fisheries. Salmon and crab PSC is estimated as 

number of individuals caught; halibut and herring PSC is estimated as weight in 

metric tons (t). Column percentages add to 100%. 

Data type Retained catch 

(Percent) 

At-sea Discard 

of groundfish 

(Percent) 

At-sea discard of 

PSC (#) 

salmon, crab 

(Percent) 

At-sea discard of 

PSC (t) 

halibut, herring 

(Percent) 

Observer 989,933 

(60.6%) 62,300 (67.0%) 1,625,888 (36.0%) 

7,607 

(31.0%) 

Industry 642,510 

(39.4%) 

5,596 

(6.0%) 0.0 0.0 

Mixed Observer 

and Industry 0.0 25,138 (27.0%) 2,888,428 (64.0%) 

16,851 

(68.9%) 

Total 1,632,443 93,034 4,514,316 24,458 

37
Table 4. -- Sampling design description for the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program. 

Sample 

Level Sample Frame Sample Unit Sample Selection Data / Observation 

1o Unit: 

Trips 

Set of all trips 

within a fishery 

and quarter 

Fishing trips 

(deliveries) 

All trips (100%) or 

Non-random (30%) 

Departure and delivery 

ports, trip dates, etc

2o Unit: 

Hauls 

Set of all hauls on 

trip 

Fishing event 

(haul, longline 

set) 

Constrained Simple 

Random Sample 

(SRS) of set of all 

hauls 

Effort data (total catch 

size, gear deployed, 

fishing location, etc) 

3o Unit: 

Sample 

Set of all sample 

units in the haul 

Predefined 

weight, 

volume, or 

gear segment 

Systematic Random 

Sample (SYS) / SRS 

/ opportunistic from 

haul 

Species composition 

data 

4o Unit: 

Length 

Sample 

All fish (by 

species) within a 

sample 

Individual 

fish SRS from 3o

 sample Sex, length, and 

weight 

5o Unit: 

Otolith 

Sample 

All fish (by 

species) from 

length (SLW) 

sample 

Individual 

fish 

SRS from 4o

sampled fish Otoliths 

38
Table 5. -- Data sources used in retained catch and at-sea discard estimation. Prohibited species 

catch (PSC) is composed of salmon, herring, several crab species, and halibut. These 

are species that have economic value in non-groundfish fisheries and therefore cannot 

be retained in groundfish fisheries. 

Fishing 

Sector 

Observer Coverage 

Level 

Retained 

Catch 

At-sea discard of 

Groundfish 

At-sea discard of nonFMP species and PSC 

Catcher 

Vessel 

delivering to 

shore 

Based on vessel size Landing 

report 

At-sea discard 

rate from 

observer data is 

applied to a 

landing report 

At-sea discard rate 

from observer data is 

applied to a landing 

report 

Vessels with ≥

100% observer 

coverage 

Observer 

data Observer data Observer data 

Catcher 

Vessel 

delivering to 

Mothership Vessels with 0-30% 

observer coverage 

Landing 

report 

At-sea discard 

rate from 

observer data is 

applied to a 

landing report 

At-sea discard rate 

from observer data is 

applied to a landing 

report 

Vessels with ≥

100% observer 

coverage 

Observer 

data Observer data Observer data 

At-sea 

Catcher 

Processors Vessels with 0-30% 

observer coverage 

At-sea 

production 

report 

At-sea 

production 

report 

At-sea discard rate 

from observer data is 

applied to an at-sea 

production report 

39
Table 6. -- Post-strata used in estimating at-sea discard rate of prohibited species. 

Rate 

Description 

Fishing 

Cooperative 

Processing 

Sector 

Week Trip 

Target 

Gear FMP 

Area 

NMFS 

Reporting 

Area 

Special 

Area 

Coop level Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Processing 

Sector 

Level 

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

3 week 

moving 

average 

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 

3 month 

moving 

average 

Yes Yes Yes Yes 

FMP Level Yes Yes Yes 

40
APPENDIX: LIST OF SYMBOLS USED 

Haul Level Estimates 

i = index of the species of interest 

J = the number of samples taken from a haul j=1, ... J 

Nij = the number of fish of species i in sample j

fi, = the number of fish weighed of species i

W = the total weight of fish in the haul 

ˆWi = the estimated total weight of species i in the haul 

wj = the weight of fish in sample j

wij = the weight of fish of species i in sample j where j = 1, ..., J

wijk = the weight of fish of species i in sample j, sub-sample k where k = 1, ...., Kj

Kj = the number of subsamples in sample j, k=1, ... K subsamples in sample j 

pw = the sampling fraction based on weight of fish 

Sj = the total weight of predominant species in the sample 

hi = the number of hooks on the i

th sampled section of longline gear 

mj = the number of sampled longline segments in sample j 

M = the total number of longline segments fished 

H = the total known number of pots set; Hˆ the estimated total number of hooks set 

ˆ

i d = the estimated at-sea discard rate for species i 

ˆ

Di = the estimated total at-sea discard for species i

Calibration of Haul-Level Estimates to Fishery 

i Dpro = the catch of (prohibited) species i monitored at the plant and the total at-sea discard 

ˆ

Dih = the estimated at-sea discard of species i (observer or vessel estimate) for haul h 

H = the total number of hauls in the delivery as reported by the vessel, h=1, ..., H 

O = the total offload weight of groundfish as measured by the plant (scale weight) 

ˆ

Rih = the adjustment ratio for species i, haul h

ˆ

Rh = the adjustment ratio for haul h (all species) 

ih S = the catch weight of prohibited species i contained in observer’s samples from haul h. 

41
* ˆWih = the adjusted estimate of catch for species i haul h

Xih = the pre-sorted catch of species i from haul h. 

At-Sea Discard of Groundfish Species 

a = index of the domain of interest (small area=fishery) 

r = index of the post-strata (rate computation) 

hop = index of hauls on observed trips on >=100% observed CPs, M 

hi = index of all hauls on <100% CPs 

hov = index of observed hauls on CVs 

hv = index of hauls on CVs 

Hr = total hauls in post-strata 

Cˆ = estimated total retained groundfish based on observer sample; ˆ ˆ

i

i groundfish

C W ∈= ∑

* C = total industry reported retained groundfish (all species) 

Dˆ = estimated total at-sea discarded groundfish based on observer sample 

* D = total industry reported at sea discards on 30% CPs 

At-Sea Discard on Non-groundfish Species 

a = index of the domain of interest (small area) 

r = index of the sub-domain (rate computation), includes trip for all observed trips 

to = index of observed trips 

ho = index of sampled hauls 

h = index of all hauls on CVs and vessels in the <100% observed strata 

h*

 = index of all hauls on CPs and Motherships in the >=100% observed strata 

Hr = total hauls in sub-domain on CVs and vessels with <100% observer coverage 

Gˆ = observer estimated total (retained plus at-sea discard) groundfish 

G = total industry reported groundfish (retained plus at-sea discard) 

42
RECENT TECHNICAL MEMORANDUMS
 

Copies of this and other NOAA Technical Memorandums are available from the 

National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22167 

(web site: www.ntis.gov). Paper and electronic (.pdf) copies vary in price. 

AFSC204	 LAUTH, R. R. 2010. Results of the 2009 eastern Bering Sea continental shelf bottom trawl survey of 

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203	 LAAKE, J., A. PUNT, R. HOBBS, M. FERGUSON, D. RUGH, and J. BREIWICK. 2009. Re-analysis of 

gray whale southbound migration surveys 1967-2006, 55 p. NTIS No. PB2010-103939. 

202	 FOWLER, C. W., and L. HOBBS. 2009. Are we asking the right questions in science and 

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201	 CHILTON, E. A., C. E. ARMISTEAD, and R. J. FOY. 2009. The 2009 eastern Bering Sea continental 

shelf bottom trawl survey: Results for commercial crab species, 101 p. NTIS No. PB2010-103938. 

200	 BOVENG, P. L., J. L. BENGTSON, T. W. BUCKLEY, M. F. CAMERON, S. P. DAHLE, B. P. KELLY, 

B. A. MEGREY, J. E. OVERLAND, and N. J. WILLIAMSON. 2009. Status review of the spotted seal 

(Phoca largha), 153 p. NTIS No. PB2010-101436. 

199	 CONNERS, M. E., J. CAHALAN, S. GAICHAS, W. A. KARP, T. LOOMIS, and J. WATSON. 2009. 

Sampling for estimation of catch composition in Bering Sea trawl fisheries, 77 p. NTIS No. PB2010­

100895. 

198	 BARBEAUX, S. J., and D. FRASER. 2009. Aleutian Islands cooperative acoustic survey study for 

2006, 90 p. NTIS No. PB2010-100894. 

197	 HOFF, G. R., and L. L. BRITT. 2009. Results of the 2008 eastern Bering Sea upper continental slope 

survey of groundfish and invertebrate resources, 294 p. NTIS No. PB2010-100893. 

196	 BUCKLEY, T. W., A. GREIG, and J. L. BOLDT. 2009. Describing summer pelagic habitat over the 

continental shelf in the eastern Bering Sea, 1982-2006, 49 p. NTIS No. PB2009-115399. 

195	 LAUTH, R. R., and E. ACUNA. 2009. Results of the 2008 eastern Bering Sea continental shelf bottom 

trawl survey of groundfish and invertebrate resources, 219 p. NTIS No. PB2009-113760. 

194	 HONKALEHTO, T., D. JONES, A. MCCARTHY, D. MCKELVEY, M.GUTTORMSEN, 

K. WILLIAMS, and N. WILLIAMSON. 2009. Results of the echo integration-trawl survey of walleye 

pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) on the U.S. and Russian Bering Sea shelf in June and July 2008, 

56 p. NTIS No. PB2009-110982. 

193	 ANGLISS, R. P., and B. M. ALLEN. 2009. Alaska marine mammal stock assessments, 2008, 

258 p. NTIS No. PB2009-109548. 

192	 FOWLER, C. W.,T. E. JEWELL and M. V. LEE. 2009. Harvesting young-of-the-year from large 

mammal populations: An application of systemic management, 65 p. NTIS No. PB2009105146. 

191 	 BOVENG, P. L., J. L. BENGTSON, T. W. BUCKLEY, M. F. CAMERON, S. P. DAHLE. A. MEGREY, 

J. E. OVERLAND, and N. J. WILLIAMSON. 2008. Status review of the ribbon seal (Histriophoca 

fasciata), 115 p. NTIS No. PB2006-104582. 

190	 HONKALEHTO, T., N. WILLIAMSON, D. JONES, A. MCCARTHY, and D. MCKELVEY. 2008. Results 

of the echo integration-trawl survey of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) on the U.S. and 

Russian Bering Sea shelf in June and July 2007, 53 p. NTIS No. PB2009-104581. 

189	 VON SZALAY, P. G., M. E. WILKINS, and M. H. MARTIN. 2008. Data Report: Gulf of Alaska bottom 

trawl survey, 247 p. NTIS No. PB2009-103242.